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turtlemoon Apr 05, 2004 08:51 AM

This may be a stupid question....but are there any fish I can put in with my turtles that will eat my turtles poop? What are the different kinds of tank cleaning fish? Thanks

Replies (5)

boogernsnot Apr 05, 2004 08:55 AM

a plecostomus is a cleaner fish that will eat your "turtles poop". but dont forget that anything you get that will eat the turtles poop, will also have some of its own to add to the mess! and if you are going to buy one of these, make sure it is larger than your turtle(s), or it will turn into a nice little snack for the turtle(s)! hope this helps...
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~ Evie

Pets:
German Shephard {Dusty}
German Shephard/Collie mix {Shadoe}
2 RES turtles {Booger and Snot}
African Clawed Frog {Bingo}
Snail {Gary}

SliderGuy Apr 05, 2004 10:34 AM

No fish can survive on poop alone!

Plecos, algae-eaters, loaches/botias, shrimp, and crabs are all good bottom-feeders/refuse-feeders. I keep all of the above in my turtle tank, and occassionally, the smaller specimens fall prey to the hungry turtles, becoming turtle poop themselves. These fish HELP to keep the tank clean, but they are NO SUBSTITUTE FOR PROPER FILTRATION EQUIPMENT - without which you will kill your 'cleaner fish' which require far better water conditions than the turtles do. Turtle poop is NOT a food source for these creatures. These critters help to break-up the poops, and they will consume small fractions of the poop, but never all of a poop. Without real fish food appropriate for each fish specie you have, your fish will not survive on poop alone!

Another benefit of keeping fish with aquatic turtles - the fish will eat the small scraps of food that the turtles ignore and spill during feeding, which will poison the water if not cleaned... or eaten.

turtlemoon Apr 05, 2004 05:07 PM

Okay I have more questions... My turtles are still babies so what if the pleco sticks on to their shell? I know there is more of a chance of my turtles hurting the fish but can they damage my turtles at all? I plan on getting a 55 gal tank with a filter (I don't have a filter right now I just change the water everyday) so I wanted to get some fish too. Thanks for your help and I'm sure I'll have more questions when I get everything set up.

meretseger Apr 05, 2004 05:35 PM

If you're going to get a pleco you should look for a smaller type like a rubber or even an otocinclus. They won't outgrow your 55 and also won't bother a turtle. Be advised that plecos do not eat waste and although they may learn to eat turtle food it's probably not the best. After they clean up all the algae in a tank you may find yourself buying special pleco algae wafers for them.
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iturnrocks Apr 07, 2004 06:09 PM

try getting a crayfish (crawdad). They eat just about anything, and dont put out too much waste. Just make sure they have places to hide when they molt or the turtles will eat them. If youre worried about them hurting your turtle, break off their front claws.
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